FG says 19,723 Nigerians out of 72,850 applicants qualify for first Digital Training Academy cohort

‎The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that 19,723 Nigerians have qualified for the first cohort of its Digital Training Academy (DTA), following a strong nationwide response that saw 72,850 applications submitted from across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
‎
‎Mr Adebayo Onigbanjo, National Coordinator of the Special Programme Operations and Implementation Unit at the Federal Ministry of Education, disclosed the figures at a news conference in Abuja ahead of the national launch of the academy scheduled for 14 September 2026. Applications opened on 17 August and closed on 1 September. After screening, 19,723 applicants met the qualifying benchmark and were confirmed eligible.
‎
‎The DTA is a free, government-backed digital skills training initiative under the Nigerian Education Digital Initiative (NEDI), a key component of the broader Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI). It forms part of the Federal Government’s response to President Bola Tinubu’s directive to equip a generation of Nigerians with internationally certified skills so they can compete effectively in the global digital economy.
‎
‎The academy is deliberately building on previous investments rather than starting from scratch. Beneficiaries of the Federal Government’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme have been integrated into the first cohort. Learners nominated through partner institutions, including Yaba College of Technology and the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), have also been enrolled.
‎
‎Training will be delivered through two global learning platforms: Coursera and Pluralsight. Coursera will cover six tracks — Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Financial Technology, Product Management, Natural Language Processing, and Quantum Computing. Pluralsight will focus on four areas: Agentic AI, Proactive Security, IT Automation, and Cloud Computing. Every participant is expected to work toward certifications recognised both in Nigeria and by employers and institutions worldwide.
‎
‎While approximately 19,700 applicants met the eligibility threshold, reports indicate that around 16,000 learners have been selected or enrolled for the inaugural cohort. Officials have described this group as the foundation on which subsequent cohorts will be built, emphasising that the first intake is only the beginning of a larger national ambition.
‎
‎Successful applicants have been urged to log into their accounts and accept their licence offers so they can begin classes without delay. Further details on expansion plans and future cohorts are expected to be unveiled at the formal national launch on 14 September.
‎
‎Nigeria’s large youth population faces a significant skills gap in high-demand digital fields. By fully funding access to world-class platforms and certifications, the DTA aims to remove cost barriers and give participants a clearer pathway into the digital economy — whether through employment, entrepreneurship, or further study. The programme aligns with the human-capital development goals of the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Data and Digitalisation pillar of NESRI.
‎
‎The strong interest shown in the first application window suggests there is real appetite for structured, government-supported digital upskilling. The test now will be consistent delivery, learner support, and the ability to scale effectively beyond the pioneer cohort.